Oh shoot - visa is expiring! What now?

We all run into trouble at times and find ourselves in perplexing situations, like the ones where you have made an application for work-permit and your residence card is to expire prior to its decision. I understand it is a lengthy process, but patience is key my fellow comrades.

Solution: PERMISSION TO REMAIN

Permission to remain in Ireland is a statement of the conditions on which a non-EU national is permitted to remain in the State and the duration of that permission ( which is a temporary extension on your current stamp). It is given at the highest discretion of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the form of a stamp (endorsement) in your passport.

A residency document – Certificate of Registration - may also be issued for the same period of time as the stamp (endorsement) placed in your passport.

What Documentation is required to obtain Permission to Remain?

You will need to provide the following in connection with your application for permission to remain:

1. Valid passport;

2. Evidence that you have sufficient funds with which to support yourself and any dependants;

3. Any information requested in connection with the purpose of your arrival in the State;

In addition if you are one of the following categories you will require certain specific documentation relating to the purpose for which you wish to remain in the State:-

Student:

Delayed results, or missed the submission date or are still working on your thesis and need a bit of time, but your visa is running out, under such circumstances you may apply for a permission to remain. You will need to provide the following in connection with your application for permission to remain on student conditions:

1. All of the above + the following;

2. Letter of registration from college / school verifying the duration / nature of the course;

3. Evidence that the necessary fees have been paid;

4. Evidence of private medical insurance (Super Important).

If it is the case that you have already been granted permission to remain in the State on student conditions and which to renew this permission to remain it is open to you to seek to renew this permission to remain with your local Immigration Officer. In addition to the above you should be in a position to provide evidence of at least 80% attendance record from previous academic year.

Awaiting Employment Permit

All non EEA nationals wishing to work in the State must have a valid work permit. Stamp 2 allows the individual to work no more than 20 hours a week and Stamp 1G allows the holder to take up 40hr/week full-time work during its validity. However, at times while working under these conditions all of sudden you are presented with an opportunity, where your employer is willing to sponsor you but your visa is running out, under such circumstances you may apply for a permission to remain and attach the following documents:

1. All of the above + the following;

2. Proof of work permit application.

Once granted, you must register yourself with your local Immigration Officer.

Important: Please make sure that you submit the above-mentioned documents with a solid cover letter explaining why you deserve the extension.

Best wishes!